Gertrude Stein

How is Gertrude Stein so well-known if you’re just hearing about her for the first time? Here’s how.

What Gertrude Stein was most famous for and why she became a cultural icon

Gertrude Stein was a Jew living in Paris, France, with her brother Leo Stein and the only way she could sustain herself was by collecting art pieces.

Not only did the Steins do that, but their apartment, 27 rue de Fleurus, became the hottest meeting spot for artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many others.

Gertrude was a feminist and modernist icon, as well as an author. She even wrote librettos like the “Four Saints in Three Acts.” Stein’s work was also adapted into operas and plays, like the one by Virgil Thomson, called “The Mother of Us All.”

In addition, she was well-known for her controversial and eccentric personality. Her public image was often the talk of the town, too, because she had ties to a Vichy government official, Bernard Fay.

Her connections to the Vichy government were also said to help her as an art collector keep her incredible art collection, including the works of Picasso, safe. After World War II, however, Gertrude wasn’t shying away from admiring more Nazi collaborators.

Today, she’s fondly remembered by the LGBTQ community because she lived openly as a lesbian with her lifelong companion, Alice B. Toklas, and still achieved success, something unheard of at that time.

Some of Gertrude’s quotes are just as popular as her. One of them is “Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.”

Gertrude’s personal background

Now, let’s talk about some interesting facts about this avant-garde activist’s early life.

Stein, Gertrude was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, to a seemingly wealthy family. She had four siblings, and throughout her life, her family moved around a few times, going to Vienna, Europe, and then back to Oakland, California. She even lived in London, England, at one point. This helped her gather a lot of expatriate experience.

By the age of 17, both of her parents passed away. Gertrude went on to attend Radcliffe College as a part of Harvard University and studied under William James while her brother, Michael, took over the family business.

After graduating, Gertrude went to Johns Hopkins Medical School after some encouragement from her mentor, who called her “his most brilliant woman student.”

During World War I, she even served as a volunteer for the French.

After her rich life, where she touched the lives of Sherwood Anderson, Carl van Vechten, the Cone sisters, William Edward Cook, Juan Gris, James Joyce, and many others, she died in Neuilly-sur-Seine, and today you can see her statue in New York.

Gertrude’s most popular novels

Some of Stein’s most popular novels, which helped her popularity skyrocket include:

Tender Buttons

Tender Buttons is probably Stein’s most popular, highly critically acclaimed piece of work. It has been called a masterpiece of verbal Cubism, but nobody can deny that this small book is a bit unique.

Divided in three sections: food, rooms, and objects, this book is about how Stein sees the relationship between words and things.

Three Lives

The time Stein got Cezanne’s portrait of his wife added to her collection, she had a literary breakthrough.

Similarly to Tender Buttons, Three Lives is also divided into three sections: The Good Anna, Melanctha, and The Gentle Lena. Every section is about a Baltimore woman’s life and death.

The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas

Stein’s probably most famous piece of work that brought her from being misunderstood to being a true star in the literary world is The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, a book based on her lifelong companion.

This book received a lot of backlash from the people she spoke about in the book. Georges Braque argued that they weren’t portrayed properly. However, the book talks about her and Alice’s lives before and after Paris and the war.

After the book was released, she and Alice had an extensive lecture tour around the US.

Stein’s influence on modern art and pop culture

Gertrude Stein is one of the most influential figures in modern art and pop culture. She was a major figure in the Parisian avant-garde movement in the early 20th century, and her writing, art, and patronage of artists made her an icon in the art world. Her literary works are known for their experimental use of language, and she was a major proponent of the cubist movement. Stein also coined the term “the Lost Generation,” which referred to the post-World War I generation of artists who felt disconnected from their peers and confused about the direction of their lives. This term has been used to refer to the general sense of disenchantment and disillusionment that was felt by many during that time. Her influence on modern art and pop culture is still felt today, and her work continues to inspire generations of artists.

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FAQ

What happened between Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein?

Ernest was inspired by Gertrude Stein as much as he was by Ezra Pound. Unfortunately, their relationship was strained, and they ended up going their separate ways.

What did Picasso say about Gertrude Stein?

Once finishing her portrait, Stein’s friends thought she looked nothing like it. So, Picasso said, “Everybody says that she does not look like it but that does not make any difference, she will.”

What were Gertrude Stein’s last words?

According to Alice, Gertrude’s last words were “What is the answer?… In that case, what is the question?”

What are the titles of Gertrude Stein’s books?

Gertrude Stein’s books include Q.E.D., Fernhurts, Three Lives, The Making of Americans, World Portraits, Tender Buttons, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, Four in America, Brewsie and Willie, Wars I Have Seen, Everybody’s Autobiography, and Reflection on the Atomic Bomb.

What was Gertrude Stein’s childhood nickname?

Her nicknames are Altrude and Sybil of Montparnasse.

What is Gertrude Stein’s best-known work?

The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.

What was Gertrude Stein’s family background?

Gertrude is the daughter of a wealthy businessman Daniel, and his wife, Amelia Stein. Both parents are German-Jewish.

What was Gertrude Stein’s painting style?

The portrait of Gertrude Stein is depicted in a natural but primitive style and came to life during the Expressionism period.

What is the setting of The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas?

The book is set in Alice’s and Gertrude’s lives before and after Paris and war from 1903 to 1932.